BY TANIA SALITRA
Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon is urging anyone who wants to witness the formal apology to thousands of Australian victims of institutionalised child sexual abuse, to enter the national ballot set up to distribute tickets before Tuesday 25th September.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced he will deliver the apology at Parliament House on 22nd October with 400 seats available to survivors and their families.
The event will be a historic day for many Hunter residents who've been permanently affected by abuse, with no institutions or churches represented in formal proceedings.
Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon has been attending meetings with a reference group, to determine the substance of the apology, and says it'll be an important step forward in many victims' healing process.
The ballot, established in the interest of fairness, has a deadline of Tuesday 25th September.
For more information or to register, please visit: www.nationalapologyconsultation.gov.au or call 1800 604 604.
